It's a New Year.....

Well, it's a new year my friends. It's been a little over one year, since I decided to venture more seriously into this thing called photography. While I do miss painting watercolors, I must say I've become more obsessed with the creative and technical processes in this particular genre of expression. 

 So hopefully this new year will continue with

 taking photography classes and then wanting to throw my camera across the room. heh-heh :P

Connecting and learning from some wonderful photographers and thanks to my friend Stephanie, joined a "photo of the day " forum. This group of artist/photographers stretch across hill and dale of the globe, from various levels of skill. Many of them I'd call Pro's to those who are just learning about this wonderful medium. They have been not only an encouragement to me personally, but a source of inspiration and fun challenges. 

YOU know who you are :)

These photos were taken over the Christmas season and the sand dune shots were taken on new years day. Not a bad way to start the new year, playing in a large sandbox by the sea!

May it be a blessed New Year for you my friends, Anni

"Foggy day and golden grasses"

"Disclaimer" this isn't the best photo...I know. But I laugh every time I see it. I have heard the secret to  wildlife photography, is to be silent, still and unseen. So do you think this herd of Elk saw me? ;)

There is just something about the ocean and 180 acres of untouched sand dunes that bring the little kid out in you! 

"Happy Trails to you, until we meet again...."

Frosty Trees Dancing?

Not too long ago I watched a movie about a famous artist. In the movie the artist said and I quote loosely, that as he painted trees he saw them as "figures dancing on the hillside." A little sappy I know(no pun intended) but that quote is what I thought of when I took these pictures. We've been living in a shroud of fog and freezing temperatures. The ice crystals collecting on the Oak trees looked like a scene from the movie Chronicles of Narnia.

When the weatherman said that the fog would be lifting and that the sun was going to make an appearance, I geared up for a display of sunshine and ice splendor.
You know it's cold when ice crystals start developing on your lens hood and you can't feel your fingers even with gloves on! (time for new gloves maybe?)

Okay, I've rambled on enough....I hope you enjoy the photos! :) Anni

"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter."  ~Ansel Adams~

Of winter's lifeless world each tree
Now seems a perfect part;
Yet each one holds summer's secret
Deep down within its heart.
~Charles G. Stater~

"There will be times when you will be in the field without a camera.  And, you will see the most glorious sunset or the most beautiful scene that you have ever witnessed.  Don't be bitter because you can't record it.  Sit down, drink it in, and enjoy it for what it is!'  ~DeGriff

"It was You who set all the boundaries on the earth;

You made both summer and winter."

- Psalm 74:17

Early Morning Inspiration

Sometimes you just get so busy keeping up with family responsibilities, expectations and life, that your creative side goes unattended. My sweet husband knowing me all too well, knows that creativity is like FOOD for me. So in an attempt to get me out of my creative dry spell said, "get your gear together and we'll go chase the fall lighting." It was 6:30 am and still dark outside. 
So I grabbed a few lenses, my tripod and I tripped out of the door half asleep with my camera in one had and coffee in the other.


While these photos aren't award winning by any means, sometimes it's not always about getting "that" perfect photo. ( I know it's almost photo blasphemy to say that! wink,wink)  Tripping out the door at the crack of dawn was about enjoying the company of someone who I love dearly, experiencing the adrenalin rush of a cold October morning,golden rays dancing on the Autumn leaves and breathing in the beauty of Creation that is around us. Thanks Mr.Jones.


Here are the shots from the day. Thanks for visiting and take some time to be creative friends! :)  Anni

My sidekick :)

My good friend and fellow artist Karen Cain-Smith, said this looked like "morning fireworks."

Yes, we are in Rattlesnake country......

After seeing the Rattlesnake sign..... taking these shots, I was thinking about that saying "snake in the grass"

Red, yellow, blue-ish, and green.

I thought this could be titled "needs grow-a-gane."  Another good friend and fellow artist said, "this looks like love...."  So true, so true Joanne!




  

Smokey Sunset

I couldn't resist in trying to capture the spooky red glow of the sun a few weeks ago. Smoke filled the skies from a forest fire :(  It created a dense dark blanket which made the sun look red. Thanks to an amazing crew of brave fire fighters, the fire was extinguished without loss of life or homes. 

PS: Can't figure out why there is digital noise going in the photo, it only shows up on the blogpost. :/ grrrr....

The Sky :)

"There are no rules of Architecture for a castle in the clouds"-G.K Chesterton

Practice makes you......crazy!

Practice makes you.....crazy! Just kidding, well sort of. 

I decided to up the level of my photography skills. So I started taking lessons, attending classes, reading everything I can get my hands on. It seems like the more I learn, the less I know. (laughing) Seriously, I have a new found admiration and respect for the professionals who have taken the long journey down this path! 

It's been a long time since I've posted anything. It is mostly due to my unrealistic perfectionist wants. I see every flaw and mistake my photographs now. I like to affectionately refer to it as analysis paralysis. Note to self: Stop it. 

The truth be told I am not going to take photos like the pros....not until I have put the time, practice and effort into the craft. So hey, I'll make mistakes but I might as well lighten up, be honest about the learning process, share the journey with friends and for goodness sake enjoy the VIEW even if you don't quite capture the image as you had hoped.

I told my photography instructor, "photography is part mad scientist and part eccentric artist." ( at least for me anyway)  The image below was an experiment for me (learning) It was taken in the shade at 1/125 with an off camera flash, F/22, 100 ISO @ 90 degree temperature. The 90 degrees has nothing to do with the photo, it's just really HOT today. ;) If I try this shot again, I'd remove whatever is causing the triangular shadow at the lower left petal, it's a little distracting. But I was happy with how the color turned out and how the other shadows fell. YAY!

Have a great day friends! Anni

“The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.”~P. Strand~

Two Sides of Inspiration :)

My husband and I went to a wildlife sanctuary last week looking for some photography inspiration. I'm calling this the two sides of inspiration.The colors and textures on this beautiful Peafowl's feathers and design were amazing. Thank You for visiting and I hope you enjoy the pics! :) Anni